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If you are managing a State Significant Development (SSD)  or State Significant Infrastructure (SSI)  project in NSW, you likely already know that the planning rules are different for you compared to a standard local DA. Under Section 7.9 of the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016  (BC Act), all SSD and SSI applications automatically require  a Biodiversity Development Assessment Report (BDAR). It does not matter if you do not trigger the clearing threshold. It does not matter

Getting your Development Application (DA) approved is a massive milestone. But for many developers and land managers in NSW, holding that approval is not the end of the ecological work—it is often just the beginning. If you read through your Conditions of Consent , you will likely find a requirement to engage a "Project Ecologist" before a single tree is removed or a shovel hits the ground . But what exactly is a Project Ecologist? Unlike the consultant who helped you get the

For a lot of proposed developments in the eastern half of NSW, the Koala ( Phascolarctos cinereus ) is a key consideration. Navigating your legal obligations for this threatened species  can be a minefield of overlapping legislation. Two key laws cause the most confusion: The Koala Habitat Protection SEPP  (Chapter 4 of the Biodiversity and Conservation SEPP 2021 ) The Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016  (BC Act) Understanding how they interact is key to avoiding DA delays  a

A common question we get from clients is: "I'm only removing a few trees. How complex can the assessment be?" The answer, in ecology and ecological assessment in particular, is "very." When it comes to vegetation clearing approval in NSW , regulators and consent authorities are not just concerned with the number  of trees, but with their function - essentially their 'ecological value' . An 80-year-old eucalypt (gum tree) is not a sapling; it's a piece of critical infrastructu

For any developer, council, or land manager in NSW, one of the first questions in the planning process is: "Do we need a BDAR?" A Biodiversity Development Assessment Report (BDAR) is a significant and costly undertaking . Misunderstanding the triggers can lead to major DA delays, unexpected expenses, and serious compliance issues . As ecological consultants for NSW-wide projects, our first job is to provide a clear, commercially sound pathway to approval . This starts with a